UCSB's Krista Cobb limted Fullerton to two runs through eight innings before allowing the game-winning home run in the ninth.
Nicole Johnson hit a home run over the left center field fence with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to propel Cal State Fullerton to a 3-2 victory over UCSB on Sunday at Campus Diamond. The win gave the Titans the 2-1 Big West series victory.
With the loss, UCSB falls 13-18 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. Fullerton improves to 13-16 and 2-1 in league.
UCSB was trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and had registered just two hits across the previous six frames. But the Gauchos fought back.
Keilani Jennings led things off with a single to shallow left field, just over the Fullerton shortstop’s head. Jessica Beristianos followed with a hard hit grounder that blasted under the second baseman’s glove and into right center field. A blooper hit over the second baseman’s head by Lauren Boser loaded the bases with no outs.
Amanda Zielger grounded out to second base on the next play and sent Jennings home in the process, cutting the Titans’ lead in half. Lainey DePompa then hit another blooper, this one to first base, sending Beristianos home for the game-tying run.
In an attempt to win the game right there, Boser tried to come home on the same play, but the throw just beat her out.
Johnson’s homer was the lone hit in the extra innings.
Krista Cobb (5-9) suffered the loss for UCSB after allowing three earned runs on seven hits. She walked four and struck out five.
For the Titans, Ari Cervantes (10-9) earned the win.
UCSB will play again Monday when it hosts South Dakota in a non-conference doubleheader at Campus Diamond. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.
